Recent advances of edible marine algae-derived sulfated polysaccharides in antiviral treatments: challenges vs. opportunities
Marine polysaccharides, particularly those derived from red, brown, and green algae, have shown promising antiviral activity. Among them, sulfated polysaccharides are particularly notable due to their broad-spectrum antiviral properties. These include direct viral destruction, inhibition of virus ad...
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| Format: | Article |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1561119/full |
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| author | Xiaoying Dong Yusong Qiu Nan Jia Nan Jia Yinfeng Wu Qing Nie Jiahui Wen Jiahui Wen Chao Zhao Chao Zhao Yongzhen Zhai |
| author_facet | Xiaoying Dong Yusong Qiu Nan Jia Nan Jia Yinfeng Wu Qing Nie Jiahui Wen Jiahui Wen Chao Zhao Chao Zhao Yongzhen Zhai |
| author_sort | Xiaoying Dong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Marine polysaccharides, particularly those derived from red, brown, and green algae, have shown promising antiviral activity. Among them, sulfated polysaccharides are particularly notable due to their broad-spectrum antiviral properties. These include direct viral destruction, inhibition of virus adsorption, disruption of viral transcription and replication, and the stimulation of the host’s antiviral immunity. With low toxicity, minimal drug resistance, and excellent biocompatibility, these polysaccharides represent promising candidates for the development of antiviral medications. For instance, carrageenan, a polysaccharide from red algae, and fucoidan, a polymer from brown algae, have both been proven to effectively inhibit viral infections. Sulfated polysaccharides from green algae, such as those found in Ulva species, also exhibit antiviral properties, including activity against the Japanese encephalitis virus. These polysaccharides function by blocking the attachment of viruses to host cells or interfering with various stages of the viral life cycle. Moreover, marine polysaccharides have been shown to enhance host immune responses, thereby aiding in viral clearance. Although these findings highlight the antiviral potential of marine polysaccharides, most studies have been conducted in vitro or in animal models. Further clinical trials are necessary to validate their effectiveness and safety for therapeutic use. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-54add8f7ed4844afb86cf778cda067f9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-861X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-54add8f7ed4844afb86cf778cda067f92025-08-20T03:40:54ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-03-011210.3389/fnut.2025.15611191561119Recent advances of edible marine algae-derived sulfated polysaccharides in antiviral treatments: challenges vs. opportunitiesXiaoying Dong0Yusong Qiu1Nan Jia2Nan Jia3Yinfeng Wu4Qing Nie5Jiahui Wen6Jiahui Wen7Chao Zhao8Chao Zhao9Yongzhen Zhai10Department of Infectious Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Mariculture Breeding, Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Mariculture Breeding, Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, ChinaCollege of Marine Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Mariculture Breeding, Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, ChinaCollege of Marine and Biology Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Mariculture Breeding, Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, ChinaCollege of Marine Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Mariculture Breeding, Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology of Fujian Province, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, ChinaCollege of Marine Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, ChinaDepartment of Infectious Disease, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, ChinaMarine polysaccharides, particularly those derived from red, brown, and green algae, have shown promising antiviral activity. Among them, sulfated polysaccharides are particularly notable due to their broad-spectrum antiviral properties. These include direct viral destruction, inhibition of virus adsorption, disruption of viral transcription and replication, and the stimulation of the host’s antiviral immunity. With low toxicity, minimal drug resistance, and excellent biocompatibility, these polysaccharides represent promising candidates for the development of antiviral medications. For instance, carrageenan, a polysaccharide from red algae, and fucoidan, a polymer from brown algae, have both been proven to effectively inhibit viral infections. Sulfated polysaccharides from green algae, such as those found in Ulva species, also exhibit antiviral properties, including activity against the Japanese encephalitis virus. These polysaccharides function by blocking the attachment of viruses to host cells or interfering with various stages of the viral life cycle. Moreover, marine polysaccharides have been shown to enhance host immune responses, thereby aiding in viral clearance. Although these findings highlight the antiviral potential of marine polysaccharides, most studies have been conducted in vitro or in animal models. Further clinical trials are necessary to validate their effectiveness and safety for therapeutic use.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1561119/fullmarine polysaccharidessulfated polysaccharidesvirusantiviral mechanismsalgae |
| spellingShingle | Xiaoying Dong Yusong Qiu Nan Jia Nan Jia Yinfeng Wu Qing Nie Jiahui Wen Jiahui Wen Chao Zhao Chao Zhao Yongzhen Zhai Recent advances of edible marine algae-derived sulfated polysaccharides in antiviral treatments: challenges vs. opportunities Frontiers in Nutrition marine polysaccharides sulfated polysaccharides virus antiviral mechanisms algae |
| title | Recent advances of edible marine algae-derived sulfated polysaccharides in antiviral treatments: challenges vs. opportunities |
| title_full | Recent advances of edible marine algae-derived sulfated polysaccharides in antiviral treatments: challenges vs. opportunities |
| title_fullStr | Recent advances of edible marine algae-derived sulfated polysaccharides in antiviral treatments: challenges vs. opportunities |
| title_full_unstemmed | Recent advances of edible marine algae-derived sulfated polysaccharides in antiviral treatments: challenges vs. opportunities |
| title_short | Recent advances of edible marine algae-derived sulfated polysaccharides in antiviral treatments: challenges vs. opportunities |
| title_sort | recent advances of edible marine algae derived sulfated polysaccharides in antiviral treatments challenges vs opportunities |
| topic | marine polysaccharides sulfated polysaccharides virus antiviral mechanisms algae |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1561119/full |
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